Ban Bossy

Sheryl Sandberg has a movement to ‘ban bossy’. This makes sense where people (girls in particular) are being mocked. But some people really honestly are just bossy. It is not one of the nine fruits of the spirit:

Bossy people seem to think the world should revolve around them. There is a touch of pride and arrogance. And don’t question their decrees – how dare you!

Leadership is not the same as bossyness. Leadership is about getting things done with the good of everyone in mind. Bossyness is about stoking the ego of the bosser. Jesus was very clear about leadership:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,” Matthew 20:25-28

Notice that Jesus’ service to the believers was not about being a doormat. He served with their best interest in mind. He was not bossy, not a micromanager. He did not tell someone he’d meet them at 5:00 and show up at 5:35. Sadly some people are woefully lacking in self-awareness. They boss and micromanage their kids, then when the kids react, they say, “everybody is mean to mommy.” No! Can’t she see it?! But she refuses to see it. We are not to exasperate our children (or anyone else for that matter).